Friday Horse Racing Tips From Andy Holding

HASHTAG BOUM (best price 3/1) just missed out on making a successful return to action at Sedgefield last month but with that all important outing likely to have done her the world of good, Ruth Jefferson’s mare can go one place better back at the scene of her previous C&D victory.

Arriving at the Durhan venue following a 200-day break, you could have forgiven the daughter of Al Namix if she was a shade rusty, but as things panned out, she was quite the opposite and it was only on the bob of head she lost out in a stirring finish.

Although the overall time figure of the race in question was some way off her best, the final circuit time was rapid enough for the grade and with the pair well clear of the rest going a long way to suggest it was solid form, a repeat of something similar should be sufficient to see her put up another bold show.

JETARA (best price 9/2) arrives here a horse right on top of her game and although she faces no easy task up against several talented mares, it will take a decent one to lower her colours based on either of her last two performances.

Never in the hunt after her pilot lost his irons at the second on her seasonal bow at Down Royal, Jessica Harrington’s inmate has proceeded to leave that run well behind her and following a hollow victory at Fairyhouse, she went on to batter several similarly rated mares in a decent listed contest at Punchestown last time out.

Quickening well to overhaul Banntown Girl who obtained first run on the dash to the last off the home turn, she powered her way clear once assuming command and she left the impression there was more left in the locker if required.

Only finding one too good on her only start at today’s meeting last year over two miles, she has now settled down into a proper quality performer over this sort of trip and with the ability to travel and quicken well in testing ground a key part of her game, those attributes look set to stand her in good stead at a level where she belongs.

It’s probably fair to say LUMINOUS LIGHT (best price 10/3) isn’t the easiest to predict but at the same time, he has shown enough decent form – including last time out – to warrant an interest in a race of today’s nature.

Given way too much to do on his previous outing over hurdles at Downpatrick, Anthony McCann’s inmate wasn’t particularly well fancied to make amends in a warm looking novice event at Fairyhouse three months later but despite being sent off 28-1, he ran way beyond expectations.

Looking a big threat approaching the last, he eventually succumbed to the powerful finish of the first two home, but in pulling clear of the rest in a personal best time figure, his effort deserved extra praise.

Which trip suits him best is a tricky one to work out but as today’s ground plays heavily in the favour of those who stay well, his proven stamina might well end up being the trump card.

Linden Arden could well turn out to be something of a handicap blot now in the care of Willie Mullins but either way, he faces a rival in the shape of WATERFORD WHISPERS (NAP) (best price 9/4) who is improving at a rapid rate of knots, and he deserves to be kept on side until told otherwise.

Impressing with how he overcame two sloppy jumps at the business end at Galway on his seasonal bow, Henry De Bromhead’s gelding was upped in trip when facing a useful field in a rated novices’ event at Fairyhouse and once again, he turned on the style much to the delight of his supporters.

Winning with more in hand than the bare result suggested, its worth noting he run by far and away the quickest overall time figure on the eight-race card and in doing so, he was also faster than the likes of Firefox and Risk Belle, winners of both the two-mile races.

Since that success 27 days ago, the runner-up, Answer To Kayf, went close to landing a Grade 2 at Limerick on Tuesday and the fourth, Stormy Judge, ran a fine race from the back of the field at Leopardstown yesterday, thus boosting the form.

Based on the evidence of what we witnessed at the Co Meath venue, a mark of 123 barely scratches the surface and with today’s track, ground, and trip all seemingly in his favour, it would come as a bitter blow to all concerned if the hat trick wasn’t completed.